Environmentally Friendly Product (Ekologicky šetrný výrobek), Czech Republic

Overview

Ekologicky šetrný výrobek ("Environmentally Friendly Product") is the Czech Republic's national ecolabelling program, launched on April 14, 1994. As an ISO 14024-compliant (Czech standard ČSN ISO 14024) Type I ecolabel, it is operated by CENIA (the Czech Environmental Information Agency) under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment. It covers eight sectors and approximately 41 product categories plus 2 service categories—building materials, cleaning products, electronics, furniture, machinery, packaging, textiles, and tourism—totaling around 400 certified products and services. Since 2004, the scope has expanded to services, beginning with tourist accommodation, alongside the introduction of a corresponding service-label variant, "Ekologicky šetrná služba." The label is also recognized in Hungary and Slovakia and has some recognition in Taiwan, giving it a degree of regional reach across Central Europe.

Timeline

Business Impact

For businesses targeting the Czech market, this is a nationally recognized third-party certification. Given its recognition in Hungary and Slovakia as well, it may serve as a useful reference point for companies expanding across Central Europe.